Resumes

[ASherbuck]

Not sure if this belongs under small business or if the Watercooler will do.

I'm beginning to put together a resume and I'm having a heck of a time figuring out if it's normal to attach a sample work with your resume. Anyone have any experience with this and know if that will hurt/help your resume?

 

[georgedwilkinson]

As a person who has read a lot of resumes, I'd say the less you put and still tell me you can do the job, the better.

 

[RCheesley]

I would suggest your resume/CV be purely text, maximum of 1-2 sides, but if you desperately want to show them examples of your work then you compile a professional "Portfolio" which evidences key areas of learning - e.g. database design, VBA, etc.

Ruth

 

[Pauldohert]

A web address on the resume , for samples of work may be a good thing if you want to let those viewing your resume view your work also.

What kind of sample are you thinking of including?

 

[PaulJR]

Where did this work you want to include on your CV come from? If it's your own personal work, for example done as part of a college course for instance - then fine, make it clear that this is your OWN work. Never release work that you done whilst being employed - companies might not trust you with material that they see as being private or confidential.

 

[Alisa]

Not sure if this belongs under small business or if the Watercooler will do.

I'm beginning to put together a resume and I'm having a heck of a time figuring out if it's normal to attach a sample work with your resume. Anyone have any experience with this and know if that will hurt/help your resume?

I think it is pretty common to put work samples on a web page (get a free blog if you don't have a website), and then list the site address under Other at the end of your resume. Or, wait until they ask you for work samples and then give them the address. I think portfolios/stuff on paper is pretty old fashioned, but maybe that is just me.

 

[georgedwilkinson]

I've taken paper in to presentations before. Usually, at the beginning of an interview I'll provide an entire portfolio with reference letters, awards, and sample work which I take with me before I leave. It gives people something to look at and think about while setting up/breaking the ice. People are usually impressed that you've gone the extra mile.

Like I said, I always take my portfolio with me when I leave, however, I do carry copies of letters of reference to leave with interviewers if they seem interested. Usually, the portfolio is enough.

But keep the resume short. It's purpose is to get you an interview and there's so many things you can say that could turn off the resume reviewer.

 

[ASherbuck]

Thanks everyone for the input.

The work consists of pieces of projects I have worked on for others, but is completely stripped of any recognizable traits - Logos/Themes/Etc. It's just the basic functionality.

I think I get it, though. Keep the resume concise and simple, if they're interested I'll have an opportunity to provide more.

 

[Fifty2One]

What works for me is a short page and a bit of the past 5 years for work and list pertinent credentials for the job and round out with some personal interests if they are appropriate for the job I am targetting... write each resume with your target in mind, even the smallest change to a 'basic' resume can put you at the top of the hire pile. Make sure you background check the company and their people so you can taylor your resume to get you the job and not just get you considered.
Keep the rest of that information handy in case you are interviewed so you can show off your previous performance and abilities in detail. Also have that detailed information prepared, you may be interviewed on the spot when just fishing with a resume in person.

 

[oumahexi]

When setting out a contract, employers always like to add "and any other duties required" so maybe our CVs can reflect this:

December 1908 - when my boss reads this:

Software developer and any other duties reuqired (please God don't let the cleaner leave I already do the work of four people).

Sometimes honesty can get you the job.

You should only list those jobs that relate to what you are going for, so even if they are not in your contract, you probably do them anyway under the "other duties..." don't bore them with the fact that you were once a pole dancer while working your way through uni, they really aren't that intrested...

 

[ajetrumpet]

When setting out a contract, employers always like to add "and any other duties required" so maybe our CVs can reflect this:

December 1908 - when my boss reads this:

Software developer and any other duties reuqired (please God don't let the cleaner leave I already do the work of four people).

Sometimes honesty can get you the job.

You should only list those jobs that relate to what you are going for, so even if they are not in your contract, you probably do them anyway under the "other duties..." don't bore them with the fact that you were once a pole dancer while working your way through uni, they really aren't that intrested...

speaking of people who are NOT interested...Obama certainly isn't interested in employing anyone in this country. so if you live in the US, good luck with your resume regardless of what you do.

 

[Rich]

speaking of people who are NOT interested...Obama certainly isn't interested in employing anyone in this country. so if you live in the US, good luck with your resume regardless of what you do.

This isn't a political thread and in any case it was Bush who screwed up the American economy not Obama

 

[Pauldohert]

don't bore them with the fact that you were once a pole dancer while working your way through uni, they really aren't that intrested...

I dont know - Examples of your work may be beneficial here.

 

[oumahexi]

I dont know - Examples of your work may be beneficial here.

Sure,why not?

 

[Rabbie]

I dont know - Examples of your work may be beneficial here.

I was advised early on in my IT career(40+ years) that your resume should contain enough information to make them want to interview you and not so much that they will decide they don't need to interview you. In short it should be a concise accurate summary of what you can bring to the job. It's always a good thing to leave some things to be expended at the interview.

 

[scott-atkinson]

For my input, My CV consists of 4 pages, detailing current and historical roles that are relevant, the front sheet is the most important, alot of people simply put their contact details and education on the front page, whereas I simply have my name, a statment of my work style and then my achievements, if the employer likes what he reads on the first page he'll taje the time to read the rest.

At the interview I always follow up my CV with a Powerpoint Presentation detailing past and current projects being worked on and their business impact.

Works well for me, and I have Job Hopped quite considerably in my career.

 

[Alc]

For my input, My CV consists of 4 pages, detailing current and historical roles that are relevant, the front sheet is the most important, alot of people simply put their contact details and education on the front page, whereas I simply have my name, a statment of my work style and then my achievements, if the employer likes what he reads on the first page he'll taje the time to read the rest.

At the interview I always follow up my CV with a Powerpoint Presentation detailing past and current projects being worked on and their business impact.

Works well for me, and I have Job Hopped quite considerably in my career.

I'm in the process of trying to put together a CV and I was wondering what you meant by 'a statment of my work style'?

 

[Alc]

Attached is my CV, the statement of work style is the Overview section at the top.

This style of CV writing is called Functional.

Thanks for that. It's always good to see different formats, even if adds to the confusion of trying to guess which one the person I'm sending it to prefers.

Back when I temped in a HR department, there were four permanent members of staff involved in screening resumes. No official policy was in place and each of them had a different view of what constituted a well laid-out resume. This inevitably meant that a resume rejected by one person might have been loved if only it had only arrived on the desk of another. It did open my eyes a bit to the randomness of some job applications.

 

[oumahexi]

It did open my eyes a bit to the randomness of some job applications.

I worked for a company where the post code was important, they wouldn't employ anyone from a "council estate", nor would they employ anyone who had worked for a council (other than as a contractor). Now, THAT's bigotted, especially given that I knew the routes of the chairman..

 

[Fifty2One]

I am very thankful when people screening applicants are bigotted and prejudice - it keeps me from working for assholes

I worked for a company where the post code was important, they wouldn't employ anyone from a "council estate", nor would they employ anyone who had worked for a council (other than as a contractor). Now, THAT's bigotted, especially given that I knew the routes of the chairman..